stave off

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to avert or hold off (something undesirable or harmful), esp temporarily

   to stave off hunger

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stave off Idioms  

1. Keep or hold away, repel, as in The Federal Reserve Board is determined to stave off inflation. This metaphoric expression transfers beating something off with a staff or stave to nonphysical repulsion. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

To stave off potential shortages of critical goods, the federal government can build up stockpiles and reshore critical manufacturing, including through public factories.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Game 4 is Monday night here in Los Angeles, a night the Lakers will try to stave off elimination and a night that will determine how the conversations will go with James if they lose.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

They found that isolation measures helped stave off a wider outbreak -- and that the majority of human-to-human transmissions occurred on the very first day the infected person had a fever.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Now, concerns have grown that the country may not be able to stave off another economic crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

I kept a giant-size bag of peanut M&Ms and Bazooka bubble gum in the glove compartment to help stave off hunger when I didn't have time for a meal.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson